The ever-increasing congestion on roads in the Netherlands has given rise to the question whether or not it would be desirable to make more use of motorised two-wheelers instead of the car. To encourage such a change, however, it would have to be certain that this would not result in more road accidents. This report, using available data, studies what the road safety effects could be if journeys were made by motorbike or moped, instead of by car. In calculating this, it is not only necessary to study the risks for those who make such a change, but also for the other road users. In order to make an as honest as possible comparison of risks, besides a total comparison (all roads, times of day, and ages), a specific risk comparison was made for limiting the change to non-motorways, rush hours, and those 18 years old and older. It appeared that journeys by motorised two-wheelers instead of by car leads, in all cases, to considerably higher risks; for the drivers as well as other road users. From this, it follows that combatting congestion by advising car drivers to use motorbikes or mopeds for (some of) their journeys, has a negative effect on road safety. (A)
Samenvatting